2024 Workshop Agenda
Schaar's Bluff Gathering Center
8395 127th St E, Hastings, MN 55033
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Notes:
**If you have them, bring your own:
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Water bottle and mug
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Name tag
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To-go containers (for lunch leftovers)
**Show off your latest ed materials! There will be a table set up for organizations to display/share their new/current recycling education pieces: guides; handouts; flyers; etc.
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8:30 - 9:00 AM
Check-in and continental breakfast
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9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Welcome and Introductions
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9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Session 1: Food Waste Prevention & Partnerships
Preventing wasted food is one of the most impactful ways we can address climate change. Food waste is generated throughout the supply chain, from farms to factories to our plates. Homes, restaurants, and other consumer-facing businesses have been identified as the places where most food is wasted. Jenny Kedward will share ways that Hennepin County has been connecting with residents and other organizations to empower them to prevent wasted food.
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Presenter:
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Jenny Kedward, Food Waste Prevention Specialist, Hennepin County​​​
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10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Break
The Gathering Center is within Spring Lake Park Reserve. Stretch your legs during the break along trails right outside the door. ​
A guided stretch will take place outside the front of the building that you are invited to join as a way to recharge!​
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10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Session 2: Deconstruction and Building Reuse at Government Properties
As the popularity of building deconstruction and reuse grows and more resources for it become available, implementation at government properties continues to have its unique challenges. Hear from our panelists of government sustainability staff and deconstruction experts as they detail the successes and difficulties of their experiences in bringing deconstruction and building reuse to civic spaces.
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Presenters:
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Olivia Cashman, Hennepin County
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Alex Baldwin, Better Futures
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Gillian Castano, City of Eagan - virtual
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Melissa Wenzel, MPCA​​​​​
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11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch
Lunch will be provided by local restaurant Ansari's Mediterranean Grill, serving a spread of Mediterranean food. Vegetarian options available.
**Bring your own food storage containers if you're interested in taking some leftovers to go :)
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12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Session 3: Telling Our Climate Stories
Climate change and the solutions to mitigate and adapt to it are often primary motivators in the solid waste field. However, it is equally important to humanize the data that drives our decisions by sharing personal stories that highlight the "why" behind our engagement, making it personally relevant. This session will provide a facilitated group experience, empowering participants to recognize the power of their voices through crafting their own climate change stories. Narratives can build confidence and articulate the significance of our work to a broader audience. Beyond the workshop, storytellers may choose to share their climate narratives at live events, legislative hearings, in print media, radio, podcasts, social media, and fundraising efforts, or serve as inspiration for artwork.
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Presenter:
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Jothsna Harris, Founder, Change Narrative
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2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Break
The Gathering Center is within Spring Lake Park Reserve. Stretch your legs during the break along trails right outside the door.
A guided stretch will take place outside the front of the building that you are invited to join as a way to recharge!
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2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Session 4: Multi-family Recycling Outreach Panel
Effective multifamily recycling programs require continuous outreach and engagement. On this panel, we will hear from various experts in the field, focusing on the innovative methods they have used to increase participation, remove barriers, and reduce contamination.
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Presenters:
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Lianna Goldstein, Hennepin County​
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Leslie McCollum, Joint Activities Program Coordinator, Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy
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3:30 - 4:30 PM
Session 5: PFAs Today, Tomorrow, and Forever
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS, are used in a wide variety of consumer products and have been detected in air, surface water, wastewater, biosolids, humans and wildlife, even in pristine areas. They are sometimes referred to as forever chemicals because they tend to bioaccumulate and do not typically biodegrade in landfills and wastewater treatment plants. The session will explain sources of PFAS as well as known health impacts and exposure pathways. The session will also address how PFAs impacts a solid waste facility and current management strategies used at SKB Environmental’s Rosemount landfill.
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Presenters:
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Ryan O'Gara, Government Affairs, SKB Environmental, Rosemount Environment
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Fawkes F.S. Char, Agency PFAS Coordinator, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency​​
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Networking
Networking will follow at Spiral Brewing 111 2nd St E, Hastings, MN 55033 in downtown Hastings.